Hen stomping and squatting when I approach

[TLynne1]

is the rooster overly aggressive?

I only have 4 hens. No rooster

 

[tlcmurphy]

I just love their names

 

[JPadronMiami]

is the rooster overly aggressive?

Sorry, I answered that wrong. Yes, I get eggs from Rose, Tulip and Daisey, not Poppy. And as soon as I typed the original message, today, Poppy squatting and let me pet and pick her up!!! So eggs from her soon!

what type of hens are they? those pics you posted, pretty hens!

 

[TLynne1]

what type of hens are they? those pics you posted, pretty hens!

4 ladies! Buff Orpingtons

 

[TLynne1]

Sorry, I answered that wrong. Yes, I get eggs from Rose, Tulip and Daisey, not Poppy. And as soon as I typed the original message, today, Poppy squatting and let me pet and pick her up!!! So eggs from her soon!

So Poppy finally gave me her first egg Tuesday! All 4 are now laying. But, they are laying inside the coop where they sleep. Now they won't sleep in there and it's 40 degrees outside! So they're not protected from the cold at all! I put the red lamp in there to help but at 40 d, not much. What is the lowest temp they can stand before I have to nudge them into the coop?

 

[rosemarythyme]

So Poppy finally gave me her first egg Tuesday! All 4 are now laying. But, they are laying inside the coop where they sleep. Now they won't sleep in there and it's 40 degrees outside! So they're not protected from the cold at all! I put the red lamp in there to help but at 40 d, not much. What is the lowest temp they can stand before I have to nudge them into the coop?

40F is nothing to them, and they certainly don't need the heat lamp (given that it's outside it'd further encourage them not to go in).

How big is the inside of the actual coop NOT including nest boxes? It looks small-ish for 4 and is underventilated as well due to lack of wall space for more ventilation. What's the roost set up like inside?

 

[TLynne1]

40F is nothing to them, and they certainly don't need the heat lamp (given that it's outside it'd further encourage them not to go in).

How big is the inside of the actual coop NOT including nest boxes? It looks small-ish for 4 and is underventilated as well due to lack of wall space for more ventilation. What's the roost set up like inside?

The small coop is: 83"Lx15Wx23H. When doing my research before the purchase for 4 hens, it's more than big enough. They were sleeping in the top part of it every night, until they started laying eggs in it. The whole thing is hardware cloth (front, sides and back), except half of the top where they were sleeping so I'm not sure what you mean about under ventilated

 

[rosemarythyme]

The small coop is: 83"Lx15Wx23H. When doing my research before the purchase for 4 hens, it's more than big enough. They were sleeping in the top part of it every night, until they started laying eggs in it. The whole thing is hardware cloth (front, sides and back), except half of the top where they were sleeping so I'm not sure what you mean about under ventilated

The coop is this portion in green. This is 83"Lx15Wx23H?

I see one open window front and looks like an open door on one side, but are there other vents? Is the door left open all night?

Recommendations on here inside the coop (per bird) call for 4 sq ft in floor space not including nests, 1 sq ft of ventilation 24/7, 1 linear ft on the roost. No you don't have to adhere strictly to those numbers, but if you are below that it may sometimes impact whether or not the birds want to use the space.

 

[TLynne1]

The coop is this portion in green. This is 83"Lx15Wx23H?

I see one open window front and looks like an open door on one side, but are there other vents? Is the door left open all night?
View attachment 3969011

Recommendations on here inside the coop (per bird) call for 4 sq ft in floor space not including nests, 1 sq ft of ventilation 24/7, 1 linear ft on the roost. No you don't have to adhere strictly to those numbers, but if you are below that it may sometimes impact whether or not the birds want to use the space.

I know you can't see it but both sides on this top portion are open.

 

[JPadronMiami]

I now have 3 squatting! Only 1 left! Rose was the 1st one about a month ago and she likes to be picked up and the back of her head rubbed. The 2nd one Tulip, shakes when she squats but also likes to be picked up and her head rubbed. The 3rd one Daisey only likes her head rubbed. She doesn't have a full wattles or comb yet and its still pinkish (which is weird). I think I'm getting eggs from all 3 because I find the eggs in different places, on the same day. The 4th one Poppy, also doesn't have a full wattles or comb its pink. She just goes about her business! The 1st one-Rose, is very jealous! She pecks at Tulip and/or Daisey when I put her down. It will be interesting to see how she behaves when all 4 are squatting!

I still have 4 RIR and 4 STARLIGHT Green eggers that are about 4 months old, no eggs yet, they are maturing nicely, no squatting yet